East Coast awards withdraws nominee

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia musician has been pulled from consideration for Indigenous artist of the year at the East Coast Music Awards due to questions surrounding his claims to Metis heritage. The chair of the East Coast Music Association’s board of directors says the nomination of Cape Breton guitarist Maxim Cormier, who identifies as being of Acadian and Metis heritage, has been withdrawn.

Dean Stairs says Cormier belongs to the Highlands Metis Nation Association, whose claims to Aboriginal heritage have not been recognized under Canadian law. Stairs called the situation “regrettable” and says the decision was made in consultation with government officials and community stakeholders.